A Quick Look at the Ledger Nano S Crypto Hardware Wallet

Today I received a new Ledger Nano S and it left quite an impression on me, so much that I needed to share it with the world: First of all, compared to the Ledger Nano (Bitcoin only), this thing is huge, heavy and ugly. Sure, even the Ledger Nano wasn’t a beauty, but for 86 Euro (incl. Shipping) the S could have looked a little sharper.

Beauty aside, my primary concern is the secure storage of crypto currency, and the Ledger Nano (S) is supposed to do this well. Aside from Bitcoin, the S currently supports Litecoin, Ethereum (+ Asset Tokens like Melonport), Ethereum Classic, Dodge, Dash, Strais, ZCash and XRP.

Impressions

Image by ledgerwallet.com

Build quality

The Ledger Nano S is nothing to go crazy over. It looks like a 2000-era USB stick with 16MB memory. While the casing is made of plastic, the metal cover does add some strength and covers display and USB port.

Initial Setup

Compared to the Ledger Nano, the setup on the S feels archaic. In fact, you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time dealing with the tiny display and two buttons on top.

Now it hit me: Out of storage - What? I had just installed two additional coin apps, to support ZCASH and DASH, but it won’t take the third, STRAITS. There’s no indication of remaining space - thoughts?

Update: Apparently the ST31H320 ARM core and flash memory has only 320 Kbytes of memory. That means, the number of apps you’re able to install on the Ledger Nano S is limited.

@f_anzs@LedgerHQ That's about it yes, the SE (ST31H320) has 320K of storage space, restricting the number of apps that can be installed

Official apps

Before you can access your crypto apps, you will need to install the corresponding application: Ledger Waller Ethereum for Ethereum and Ethereum Classic and Ledger Wallet for all remaining, officially supported coins.

At first sight, Ledger applications are great: Easy to use, responsive, well designed and open source.

Ledger Wallet

Ledger Wallet Ethereum

Usage

This is where it becomes awkward. Let’s try to accomplish two easy tasks, and see where it takes us.

1) Check Bitcoin balance

Plugin the device

Enter your PIN on the device (tiny buttons), everyone can see

Select the Bitcoin app on the Ledger Nano S

Launch the Chrome App Ledger Wallet Bitcoin

See your balance

2) Transfer Ethereum

Now we’re still in the Bitcoin app

Close the Chrome App

Close the Bitcoin app on the Ledger Nano S

Launch the Chrome App Ledger Wallet Ether app

Select the Ethereum app on the Ledger Nano S

Send Ethereum, confirm on Ledger Nano S (there’s no real 2FA)

PIN entry aside, Why is this so complicated? I’d like to see a unified interface that presents me with all accounts and coins that are stored on the Ledger Nano S - like a portfolio, like Exodus!

Looks gorgeous, doesn’t it? That’s what I want for my Ledger!

Additional Apps

I’ve found additional apps for the Ledger Nano S. There’s even an early beta of GPG and 2FA ala Google Authenticator. Cool stuff!

Final words

Overall, it’s sort of like an MP3 player, before Apple made the first iPod. It does the job and keeps your crypto secure but I hope the new Electron based software they are working on, will collect the different cryptos under one roof.

Get one!

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